Bill Gunston (1927–2013)

This 1993 book is written by Bill Gunston, noted aviation writer and former Royal Air Force pilot. The topic is a daunting one where the author is challenged to chart the history of a technology yet make that history legible to readers who may not be technically oriented. Let's see how Gunston approaches that ideal.

This is a slim volume for the topic--a mere 222 pages. Gunston starts with an introduction that broadly outlines his topic, following that with two sections of text. Section I is show more the shorter of the two at 93 pages wherein Gunston explains how a piston aircraft engine works and is different from other types of internal combustion engines. There are four chapters in this section: Basic Principles; Engine Cycles; Engine Design I; and Engine Design II. Each chapter includes historical examples to highlight the author's discussion. Section I is where some readers' eyes may gloss over because of the scientific and engineering fundamentals are discussed, but this section is important to understand what is coming in Section II.

Sectin II is the history part of this book organized into another four chapters arranged chronologically: The Dawn of Powered Flight; Between the World Wars; The Big-engine Peak; and Piston Engines Today and Tomorrow. That last chapter also includes a contemporary (early 1990's) listing of general aircraft engines and manufacturers/designers, the last stronghold of the aircraft piston engine. Gunston follows Section II with a list of piston engine aircraft speed records, an appendix of abbreviations, a brief bibliography, and an index. The author is a noted writer of the old school who did not believe in footnotes/endnotess; however, Gunston's reputation is such that those appendages are not really needed.

This is a useful and needed primer for readers interested in this admittedly narrow-scoped topic. I wish I had read this book prior to my reading Whitney's "Vees for Victory", as what Gunston discusses would have clarified at least some of what Whitney was trying to say in his book. My Gunston schooling has already come in handy on my current read, Calum Douglas' "The Secret Horsepower Race". Gunston's work shows how the intricate interplay between mechanical engineering, materials science, fuels chemistry, and economics can make or break a particular concept, engine, or company. This book is profusely illustrated, which aids the reader in understandng the concepts and history in Gunston's text.

Overall this book is a must read for those with an interest in the history of technology and desires a basic understanding of aircraft internal combustion engines before embarking on deeper dives in more specialized aircraft engine books. show less

Nice historical overview of the evolution of piston engines. It explains the details pertaining to piston engine mechanics, in a physical perspective, and their evolution. One gets the feeling maybe some areas could be a bit more explored but it is, anyway, a very good overview of history and a good starting point to further investigate on this subject.

I've been a Bill Gunston fan for decades but only this year (2010) came across this book which was written in 1969. It does cover in detail not only the subject vehicles, but also the theory and practical uses. The final part of the book projects eventual uses and sadly after forty years, almost none of his visions have come to past. I want my atomic powered ocean going hovercraft! Recommend for the enthusiast only.

End of 1980s and mid 1990s were times where high technology applications to the aerospace industry in particular where awed at and people wrote about it (information was much more available I have a feeling than it is case today, or there was no information overload like today that IMHO has somewhat blocking nature). From introduction of fully digital cockpit demonstrators (today called full glass cockpits), concepts of FBW flight concts, to concepts of machines that can fly almost in space, show more VTOLs and tiltrotors and various multipurpose light fighters used for attack and air supremacy roles, like Tigershark and Mitsubishi CCV. Who can forget EPA and later competing French designs that at the end gave birth to Typhoon, revolutionary Grumman X29 or various Sikorsky prototypes of hi speed choppers. This was also time when Russian combat aircraft started becoming more known in the West, from air superiority fighters to heavy bombers and helicopters.

Excellent overview of technologies that are still in operational use and get ever improved.

Very informative little book. Highly recommended to all fans of aerospace technology. show less